Utilization of Face Masks in Concrete for Improved Strength Performance: Strategy Toward Green Construction
摘要
The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe environmental impact. Individuals began using various types of personal protection equipment to defend themselves. Due to this, personal protective equipment was put to use. As the volume of pandemic-generated waste expanded, disposal became a challenge. Given the negative effects these items have on the environment, as evidenced by the pollution generated by these face masks on both land and sea, they must be disposed of properly. Therefore, experimental research was carried out to determine how the inclusion of masks affected the strength parameter of the concrete cubes. A total of 27 cubes were cast with different proportions of masks added to the concrete. Mask of varying proportions was added to concrete to determine the workability and compressive strength of the addition of a face mask. A total of 578.18 g of mask is added which at a large scale could potentially help save the environmental threat to reach landfill.